uPVC and Thermally Broken Doors
From wide-opening bi-folds to 6m lift and slide doors, every configuration is built for Sydney's climate and finished to a European standard.
Sliding Doors
The practical opening for balconies and courtyards - nothing swings, so the space either side of the door stays usable.
From $4,842
Sliding Doors in detailBi-Fold Doors
Panels fold back on themselves and stack clear of the opening, so the wall between inside and outside effectively disappears.
From $9,254
Bi-Fold Doors in detailFrench Doors
A pair of hinged glazed leaves meeting in the centre - the classic European opening, and the one that suits a period Sydney home best.
From $5,366
French Doors in detailLift and Slide Doors
Turning the handle lifts the entire sash off its seals onto the rollers - so a panel weighing hundreds of kilos moves with one hand.
Lift and Slide Doors in detailTilt and Slide Doors
A sliding door that also tilts - secure background ventilation without leaving a full-height opening standing open.
Tilt and Slide Doors in detailStacking Doors
Multiple sliding panels that gather behind one another at one end of the opening, clearing most of the aperture without folding.
Stacking Doors in detailEntrance Doors
The front door is usually the weakest thermal element left in a house after the windows are done - and the easiest one to forget.
Entrance Doors in detailTilt and Turn Doors
Dual-action European hardware in door height: tilt the sash in for secure background ventilation, or swing it fully open when you want the whole doorway.
Sidelights and Highlights
Fixed glazed panels beside or above a door, built from the same frames and glass, to bring in extra daylight without giving up thermal or acoustic performance.
Multi-point locking as standard
Every door system uses multi-point locking hardware, and can be specified with the same glazing and thermal performance as our window range - double or triple glazing, Low-E coatings and acoustic laminated glass.
See also: double glazed windows and doors in Sydney, what doors cost and the full window range.
Choosing the right door for an apartment balcony
The balcony door is usually the largest opening in a unit, and the right type depends on the balcony. Sliding doors suit most balconies because nothing swings into the living room or onto the balcony. Stacking doors use three or more panels for a wider opening onto larger balconies. Lift and slide doors lift off their seals to slide and drop back onto them to close, which makes them the best choice for heavy panels on exposed upper floors. French doors suit Juliet balconies and older walk-up buildings, where the originals were hinged. For entries off a common corridor, an entrance door with multi-point locking gives security and a good seal against corridor noise. See also balcony door replacement.
What makes a door perform
Old balcony sliders lose heat and let noise in mainly through worn seals and rollers, not just through single glass. A replacement door needs double glazing with a Low-E coating chosen for the orientation, a frame that insulates (multi-chamber uPVC or thermally broken aluminium), and seals that close tightly along the whole frame. Air infiltration in the WERS rating tells you how well a door seals: hinged and lift and slide doors usually seal better than standard sliders. Where traffic or aircraft noise is the problem, acoustic laminated glass makes the biggest difference.
Security features for apartment doors
Ground-floor and podium-level doors are the ones that need the most security. Multi-point locks engage the frame at several points rather than at one latch. Laminated glass holds together if it is struck. Anti-lift blocks stop a sliding panel being lifted out of its track. On upper floors, safety glass is required by the building code in most door positions. We specify the hardware and glass for each door's position in the building rather than using one specification throughout.
Finishes, maintenance and long-term reliability
uPVC doors come in white, colours and woodgrain finishes; thermally broken aluminium is powder coated to match the building. Near the coast, uPVC will not corrode, and aluminium needs a coastal-grade finish. The parts that wear are the rollers, seals and the sill track. Keeping the track clean and the drainage holes clear prevents most leaks and stiff operation, and quality rollers and seals can be replaced without replacing the door. Every door carries a 10-year product warranty and a 6-year installation guarantee.